Insulated tubular can cooler

ABSTRACT

A device for keeping canned drinks cold includes a tube having a diameter only slightly larger than the diameter of a can. A disclosed tube is long enough to accommodate six cans stacked end-to-end. At least one end of the tube has a removable cap. An insulating foam encases a major portion of the tube to provide thermal insulation and, optionally, to enable the device to float.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM (EFS-WEB)

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field

The invention relates generally to thermally insulated coolers for keeping canned drinks cold. More specifically, the thermally insulated cooler is tubular and holds cans stacked one atop another in end-to-end relation. A tube has an open upper end and a cap that is removable to insert and remove drink cans. A thermally insulating sleeve is disposed around the tube.

Background Art

Thermally insulated coolers are widely used for keeping food and beverages cold. One of the most common uses for a cooler is to keep canned drinks cold.

The three most common standard sizes for beverage cans in the United States are 12 US fl oz (355 ml), 16 US fl oz (473 ml), and 8.4 US fl oz (250 ml). All three of these standard can sizes have a diameter of 2.60 inches (66.167 mm) at the widest point of the body and a diameter of 2.34 inches (59.44 mm) at the lid. The can sizes differ only in their heights: the 12 fl oz can is 4.81 inches (122.23 mm) tall, the 16 fl oz can is 6.19 inches (157.62 mm) tall, and the 8.4 fl oz can is 3.60 inches (91.50 mm) tall.

Most coolers are shaped like a box. When drink cans are put into a conventional cooler with substantially flat interior walls, there is wasted space between the cylindrical walls of adjacent cans and between the cans and the walls of the cooler. This wasted space adversely impacts the insulating performance of the cooler. In addition, the cans may shift within the cooler during transport, which can cause the cooler to become unbalanced and more difficult to carry.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tubular thermally insulated cooler for accommodating a plurality of drink cans stacked one atop another. The cooler comprises a tube for containing the cans, at least one end of the tube being open for introducing and dispensing cans from the tube. The open end of the tube is selectively closable by a cap that engages the open end of the tube. The tube is at least partially encased in a sleeve of thermally insulating material.

In a disclosed embodiment, the thermally insulating sleeve is made from polyethylene foam. The thermally insulating sleeve can be 0.25 to 4 inches thick, preferably 0.5 to 3 inches thick, and more preferably 0.5 to 1.5 inches thick.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a thermally insulated can cooler of the disclosed embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the can cooler of FIG. 1, with top and bottom caps exploded from the cooler and an insulating sleeve shown in dotted lines.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross sectional view of the can cooler of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross sectional view of the can cooler of FIG. 1 with a plurality of cans stored therewithin.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of full and empty drink cans.

FIG. 6-11 are vertical cross sectional views of the can cooler of FIG. 1 illustrating the operation of the cooler to dispense unopened drink cans and to store empty cans for later disposal or recycling.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the upper portion of a second embodiment of a can cooler with the cap exploded from the tube.

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the can cooler of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the can cooler of FIG. 12 with the cap in place atop the tube.

FIG. 15 is an isometric view of the upper portion of a third embodiment of a can cooler with the cap exploded from the tube, and with the upper portion of the cap depicted in phantom to reveal interior detail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-3 show a thermally insulated can cooler 10. The can cooler 10 includes a tube 12 having an upper end 14 and a lower end 16. External threads 20 are formed on the upper and lower ends 14, 16 of the tube 12. An upper cap 24 and a lower cap 26 have internal threads that engage the external threads 20 on the upper and lower ends 14, 16 of the tube 12 to removably secure the caps to the ends of the tube.

The tube 12 has an inner wall 28 that defines an internal cylindrical chamber 30. The tube of the disclosed embodiment is manufactured from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Other suitable materials include, without limitation, acrylic, polycarbonate, thermoplastics, thermoset resins, nylon, and ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMW).

The internal diameter of the tube 12 is dimensioned to receive a can of the type described above. As previously indicated, the outer diameter of a standard U.S. can is 2.60 inches. In one embodiment the tube is a length of standard three-inch PVC pipe, which has an inner diameter of 3.068 inches. The three-inch pipe will accommodate a standard 2.6 inch diameter can with about 0.2 inches clearance all around.

In another disclosed embodiment, a custom-made length of PVC tubing has an inner diameter of 2.68 inches, leaving 0.04 inches clearance between a can and the inner wall 28 of the tube 12. That clearance permits drink cans to slide easily into and out of the tube, leaves very little room for the cans to rattle around inside the tube, and leaves minimal air around the cans in the tube that might adversely impact insulation performance.

The section of the tube 12 between the threaded ends is jacketed in a sleeve 40 of a thermally insulating, foamed thermoplastic. The insulating sleeve 40 of the disclosed embodiment is formed of polyethylene foam of the general material from which noodle-style pool toys are made. Other materials, such as ethylene vinyl acetate foam, may be substituted for the polyethylene foam.

The thermally insulating sleeve 40 can be 0.25 to 4 inches thick, preferably 0.5 to 3 inches thick, and more preferably 0.5 to 1.5 inches. Advantageously, the sleeve 40 not only thermally insulates the tube 12 but also is sufficiently buoyant to enable the cooler 10 to float.

FIG. 4 illustrates a plurality of cans 50 contained within the tube. In the disclosed embodiment, the tube 12 holds four cans 50 stacked one atop another in end-to-end relation. Stated differently, the longitudinal axes of the cans 50 are aligned, with the lower end of one can abutting the upper end of an adjacent can. As previously indicated, the height of a U.S. standard 12 fl oz can is 4.81 inches (122.23 mm). Thus a stack of four cans is approximately 19.24 inches (488.92 mm) high.

The tube 12 has a length closely corresponding to the height of the stack of cans 50. In this way the stack fits closely within the tube and does not rattle back and forth. In the disclosed embodiment, the tube is approximately 19.4 inches from the inner surface of one cap 24 to the inner surface of the opposite cap 26.

FIG. 5 is a schematic depiction of drink cans illustrating the numbering convention to be used in explaining the drawings. A fluid level within the can may be represented by a wavy line. A can generally, without regard to whether it is full or empty, has no wavy line and is referenced by the numeral 50. A can with the fluid level near the top indicates a full, unopened can 52, and a can with the fluid level near the bottom indicates an empty can 54.

In addition, the illustrated can cooler 10 can hold four cans 50. The individual cans are referenced by the letters A, B, C, and D. So for example, the first can will be identified by the reference numeral 50A if referenced without regard to whether it is full or empty; it will be identified by the reference numeral 52A if it is a full, unopened can; and it will be identified by the reference numeral 54A if it is an empty can.

Having a removable cap 24, 26 on each end 14, 16 of the tube 12 provides the advantage that empty cans 54 may be stored in the cooler 10 without hindering access to unopened cans 52. FIGS. 6-11 illustrate a method for dispensing cans from and returning cans to the tube 12 in a manner that permits empty cans 54 to be stored for later disposal or recycling, while not impeding access to remaining unopened cans 52 in the tube 12.

A cooler 10 with a full complement of cans 50 is shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 6, the upper cap 24 is removed from the upper end 14 of the tube 12, the tube is tilted to cause a first unopened can 52A to slide out, and the cap 24 is replaced. After the drink in the can 52 has been consumed, the bottom cap 26 is removed from the lower end 16 of the tube 12, as shown in FIG. 7, and empty can 54A is replaced at the bottom of the stack. This action pushes the stack of cans upward, positioning the next unopened can 52B in position at the top 14 of the tube 12 to be dispensed next. The bottom cap 26 is then replaced, as shown in FIG. 8.

When it is desired to remove another drink can from the cooler 10, the user removes the upper cap 24, tilts the tube 12 to permit the next unopened can 52B to slide out, and replaces the cap onto the lower end 16 of the tube. After the drink in the can 54 has been consumed, the bottom cap 26 is removed from the lower end 16 of the tube 12, as shown in FIG. 9, and empty can 54B is replaced at the bottom of the stack. This action advances the stack of cans upward, moving the next unopened can 52C into position at the top of the tube 12 to be dispensed next. The bottom cap 26 is then replaced, as shown in FIG. 10.

This procedure is continued until the user does not wish to remove any more unopened drink cans 52, or until all if the drinks have been consumed.

As noted, the tube 12 of the cooler 10 has a length closely approximating the height of the stack of cans to be stored. By controlling the length of the tube in this manner, the stack of cans does not have much room above or below for the stack to rattle back-and-forth. However, there are other ways to prevent the cans from shifting. For example, in one embodiment, the two caps 24, 26 have coil springs attached to them in a manner similar to the arrangement of a flashlight battery cap.

While the cooler 10 is dimensioned to hold four cans 30, the cooler can be provided in a longer or shorter length to accommodate a greater or lesser number of cans. The tube 12 of the disclosed embodiment is approximately 0.25-0.50 inches (6.35-12.7 mm) longer than the stack of cans 30 to accommodate the stack of cans while minimizing movement of the stack of cans within the tube. So, for example, a stack of six cans 30 is 28.7 inches (733.4 mm) tall, so a tube for containing six cans would preferably be 29-29.25 inches tall.

Optionally the caps 24, 26 can be secured to the tube 12 by a cord, chain, or strap (not shown) to prevent the caps from becoming separated from the cooler and lost.

While the disclosed cooler 10 has caps 24, 26 that screw onto the threaded ends of the tube 12, other cap configurations can be employed. For example, the caps 24, 26 and tube 12 can be configured for an interference fit such that the caps snap on and off the ends of the tube, in the same manner that the cap on a can of tennis balls snaps on and off. As another alternative, the caps 24, 26 can be pivotably mounted to the ends of the tube 12 by hinges such that the caps open and close over the ends of the tube. A latch is provided to selectively keep the caps secured in the closed position.

Referring now to FIGS. 12-14, another embodiment of a can cooler 110 is shown. The cooler 110 has a tube 112 manufactured of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) of the same general type as used in plastic tennis ball cans. The upper end of a can 50 can be seen loaded in the tube 112 in FIG. 13. An insulating jacket 113 of the type discussed above surrounds a major portion of the tube 112. An outwardly extending annular flange 114 is located at the open end or ends of the tube 112. Again, it can be of the same general type used in plastic tennis ball cans.

A cap 116, manufactured from a deformable, resilient material such as polyethylene, has an upper surface 118 with a downwardly depending edge 120. An undercut 122 is formed on the inner surface of the edge 120 of the cap 116. The cap 116 snaps over the flange 114 of the tube 112, the undercut 122 of the cap being captured underneath the flange to selectively close the end of the tube.

With reference to FIG. 15, a tubular cooler 210 comprises a tube 212, a major portion of which is thermally insulated by a sleeve 213 of the type described above. The tube 212 has an annular flange 214 formed at an end. The flange 214 has cutouts 216 extending inward from the outer periphery of the flange. A cap 220 has an upper surface 222 and a downwardly depending edge 224 (both shown in phantom). A pair of radially extending tabs 226 project inward from the edge 224. The tabs 226 are configured and aligned to fit through the cutouts 216 in the flange 214 when the cap 220 is placed on an open end of the tube 212.

To install the cap 220 atop the tube 212 of the cooler 210, the cap is positioned on the flange 214 and the cap rotated until the tabs 226 are aligned with the cutouts 216 in the flange. The cap 212 is advanced downward and rotated such that the tabs 226 are captured beneath the flange 214. To remove the cap 220, the process is reversed—the cap is rotated until the tabs 226 align with the cutouts 216 in the flange 214, and the cap is then lifted off the end of the tube 212.

With respect to all embodiments, one end of the tube can be permanently closed off and drink cans inserted and removed through only one end of the tube. Or, both ends of the tube can be open and selectively closed with a cap so that cans can be dispensed from both ends.

As used herein, words such as top, bottom, left, right, horizontal, vertical, and the like are used with reference to the drawings for convenience of description. Use of these words is not intended to limit the invention to any particular orientation.

Finally, it will be understood that the foregoing embodiments have been disclosed by way of example, and that other modifications may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cooler for storing and dispensing a predetermined number of drink cans, each can having a height and a maximum diameter, said cooler comprising: a tube having an upper end and a lower end, said tube having an outer diameter and an inner diameter that is greater than the maximum diameter of a can, and said upper end of said tube being open; a thermally insulating sleeve disposed around said tube; and an upper cap for selectively opening and closing said upper end of said tube.
 2. The cooler of claim 1, wherein said lower end of said tube is open, said cooler further comprising a lower cap for selectively opening and closing said lower end of said tube.
 3. The cooler of claim 1, wherein said upper end of said tube is threaded; and wherein said upper cap is threaded so as to threadingly mate with said threaded upper end of said tube, whereby said upper cap can be screwed on and off to selectively close or open said upper end of said tube.
 4. The cooler of claim 3, wherein said tube further comprises an open lower end, said cooler further comprising a lower cap for selectively opening and closing said lower end of said tube; wherein said lower end of said tube is threaded; and wherein said lower cap is threaded so as to threadingly mate with said threaded lower end of said tube; whereby said lower cap can be screwed on and off said lower end of said tube to selectively close or open said lower end of the tube.
 5. The cooler of claim 1, wherein said thermally insulated sleeve is made of thermally insulating, foamed thermoplastic.
 6. The cooler of claim 5, wherein said foamed, thermoplastic sleeve is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene foam and ethylene vinyl acetate foam.
 7. The cooler of claim 5, wherein said thermally insulating sleeve is from 0.25 inches to 3 inches thick.
 8. The cooler of claim 6, wherein said thermally insulating sleeve is from 0.5 inches to 3 inches thick.
 9. The cooler of claim 1, wherein said thermally insulating sleeve is sufficiently buoyant to cause said cooler to float in water.
 10. The cooler of claim 1, wherein said upper cap is tethered to said tube to prevent said upper cap from becoming separated from said tube.
 11. The cooler of claim 2, wherein said upper and lower caps are tethered to said tube to prevent said caps from becoming separated from said tube.
 12. The cooler of claim 1, wherein said tube is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, polycarbonate, thermoplastics, thermoset resins, nylon, and ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene.
 13. The cooler of claim 1, wherein said tube has an inner diameter greater than 2.60 inches (66.167 mm).
 14. The cooler of claim 1, wherein said tube has an inner diameter of from 2.68 inches to 5 inches.
 15. The cooler of claim 1, further comprising an upper flange extending outwardly from said upper end of said tube, said upper flange having an outer diameter; wherein said upper cap has a diameter larger than said outer diameter of said tube; wherein said cap has an inwardly extending undercut defining an opening with a diameter of less than said outer diameter of said upper flange; wherein at least a portion of said upper cap is made of a deformable, resilient material; and wherein when said upper cap is applied onto said upper end of said tube, said upper cap deforms so that said undercut of said upper cap clears said upper flange, and returns to its original configuration with said undercut of said upper cap being captured beneath said upper flange.
 16. The cooler of claim 2, further comprising a lower flange extending outwardly from said lower end of said tube, said lower flange having an outer diameter; wherein said lower cap has a diameter larger than said outer diameter of said tube; wherein said lower cap has an inwardly extending undercut defining an opening with a diameter of less than said outer diameter of said lower flange; wherein at least a portion of said lower cap is made of a deformable, resilient material; and wherein when said lower cap is applied onto said lower end of said tube, said lower cap deforms so that said undercut of said lower cap clears said lower flange, and returns to its original configuration with said undercut of said lower cap being captured beneath said lower flange. 